CHICAGO, IL, USA—K 2001 show organizer, Messe Düsseldorf, reports a "pleasing" outcome, despite a 12% drop in attendance from 1998. "In light of the current worldwide political and economic situation, we are very pleased with the results, " says Karlheinz Wismer, president/CEO of Messe Düsseldorf.

The organizer of K 2001—the 15th International Trade Fair for Plastics & Rubber—says the event attracted 2,885 exhibitors from 53 nations and more than 230,000 trade visitors from over 100 countries. "Exhibitors were impressed with the trade visitors' professional caliber, the large number of international guests, and the unexpected high eagerness to invest," Wismer adds.

Messe Düsseldorf says the majority of exhibitors reported good business deals and contacts at the show: "Ninety-one percent were pleased with their participation, and 94 percent expect a busy post-show business," adds the show organizer. "The exhibitors (raw materials and machinery mfrs. as well as plastics and rubber processors) agreed that in the current difficult global political and economic environment, K 2001 again proved its status as the leading international marketplace and provided the industry with some important impulses."

Situated in more than 1.6 million sq ft of net exhibit space (in 17 halls), K 2001 (held October 25 through November 1 this year) received visitors from around the globe. Messe Düsseldorf reports more than 50% were from outside of Germany, an increase of 5% (as compared to 1998). It also says almost 64% of the foreign trade visitors came from Europe. Foreign attendees from overseas accounted for about one-third of the foreign visitor total, adds the organizer.

K 2004 is slated for October 20–27 at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf, Germany. For more information about K 2004 visit mdna.com.